Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 30,007, John Gaston, S.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
S.6.
Gaston, John Janet
4 30,000 7
?
CONTENTS

335 Illinois
Jane Gaston widow of John Gaston of Jefferson Co. in the State of Illinois who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Steele — of the regt commanded by Col.  in the S. Carolina mil line for 6 months
John Gaston
Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per ann to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Dec 2 1836 — and sent to Mr. Cunningham Salem. Ills.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $ 100 — Semi-ann. allowance ending 4th March 37 10. — $ 120. —
aw { Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. July 4, 1836
Recorded by M. J. Allison Clerk Book Vol. Page 206
Dead Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. April 1838. from 4 March 1838 to 1. Aug 1839. Age notified 11. Nov 1841.

Genet Gaston Illinois Re 14 Feb 1836
admitted for 6m $20.
N o 467 3. Sec. Declaration & Testimony in favour of Widow Bennet Gaston for a pension

State of Illinois } ss Jefferson County }
1836
On this twelfth day of September , personally ap- peared before the Judge of the Court of Probate of the County and State aforesaid. Verinet Gaston a resident of Jefferson County and state of Illinois aged Ninetyfour years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the follow- ing declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4 th 1836. That she is the widow of John Gaston Dec d late of Chester District State of S. Carolina who was a private of the Mounteds Militia under the Command of General Sumpner . That previous to General Sumpner's organ- ization he the said John Gaston performed seven tours of duty to suppress the collection of Tories and one tower of three months against the Cherokee Indians , Officers not recollected, that Captain McCleure was the Captain he served under first, and after he the said Capt. McCleure was killed, Captain Steel Commanded, previous to the battle of Rockey Mount he the sd John Gaston was taken prisoner and in a few days paroled yet ventured to aid in that Battle of Rockey Mount and that of Hanging-rock the Sabbath following where he had two Brothers fell and one wounded, he had another Brother free, at Savannah  he recollected as Captain of a regular Company. That the said John Gaston being a quack doctor was employed by General Sumpner to dress the wounds he the said General received at Broadriver , and was from that time with the person of General Sumpner to the best of her recollection as a surgeon till after the Battle of Eutaw-Springs , when he was dismissed. That the said John Gaston was in seven or six bat- tles and Skirmishes and was five years in the service of his Country without ever receiving a Compensation.
She further declares that she was married to the said John Gaston previous to the Revolutionary war . That the record of their marriage was lost where the Church and Bride resided losing nearly all their property. But that she recollects their first child was born the first day of January one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven. That she has no record of the services of her husband the said John Gaston since

That he the said John Gaston her husband died sometime in January one thousand eight hundred and eight, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Her Garnet Gaston mark
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written written before me this 12 th day of September 1836 Sol Pace Judge of probate
The following questions were put to the above Garnet Gaston while on oath:
What was your maiden name? Ans: Garnet Knox By whom were you married? Ans By Father-in-law John Gaston sen d Esquire
Of what Complaint did your husband the aforesaid John Gaston die? Ans: The Influenza.
Her Garnet Gaston mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me this 12 th day of September 1836 Sol Pace Judge of probate
I do hereby Certify that the affiant above Garnet Gaston is a woman of good moral character and reputed veracity, That I believe her too infirm to attend Court, and that I have no hesitation in believing the testimony set forth in her declaration and answers to the following questions thereto, to be substantially correct. Given under my hand and seal no public one provided under office this 13 th day of September AD 1836
Sol Pace Judge of probate

State of Illinois } ss Jefferson County }
Personally appeared before the Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Jefferson and state aforesaid. The Hon. Zadoc Casey and Edward May a preacher of the Gospel who after being duly sworn according to law with  on their oaths certify that the person making the declaration  affidavit the widow. Cornet Gaston of Jefferson County and State of Illinois is a woman of Good moral Character and her testimony in the foregoing affidavit declaration corresponding with Common report viz. (That her husband John Gaston Secd was a Soldier in the revolutionary war and that she has remained a widow ever since his decease.) That we have no hesitation in stating our belief in the testimony set forth as before to be substantially true.
Zadoc Casey Edward May
Sworn to and subscribed this fifteenth day of October 1836 before
Job Pace Judge of Probate
State of Illinois Jefferson County } ss
I do hereby certify that Job Pace whose name appears to the above certificate is Judge of the court of probate in and for the county of Jefferson and state aforesaid known unto me to be such at the court aforesaid this 15 th day of October 1836
Zadoc Casey

State of Illinois } Marion County } to
Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace of Marion County State aforesaid, William Gaston and after being duly sworn according to law. This saith that he the witness was acquainted with John Gaston deceased husband of the applicant for the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4 th 1836 the now widow Janet Gaston, previous to the revolution war. That before the marriage of the sd John Gaston and Janet Know they lived on Fishing Creek Chester County State of South Carolina, they were married the fall of 1768. That the said John Gaston sd was a private in the mounted Militia under Capt. McEllure and the fighting commenced sometime in the year 1774 and Seventy five. That the first campaign was the Snowy Camps that after performing several routes they were regularly organized under Gen Sumpter, before the Battles of Rocky mount and Hangingrock. That the said John Gaston was in those Battles and was a faithful soldier and true until the close of the war, That the said John Gaston had three Brothers killed and one wounded in that war and was once robbed by the British and Tories of nearly all their property - That the witness made their house his home from the organization of Sumpter till after the war. That the said John

Gaston has been dead near  above twenty years and That the applicant the widow Janet Gaston of Jefferson County State of Illinois is the widow of the said John Gaston Dec d and never has been married again to any other person whatever.
his William + Gaston
Subscribed to and subscribed on the 22 nd  mark day of Aug- ust 1836 before Josiah J. Ske J.P.
I do hereby certify that the affiant William Gaston is an old Gentleman of good moral character and unimpeachable veracity (now pensioner of the revolution) and entitled to the highest confidence and I believe him to be too infirm to attend Court Josiah J. Ske J.P.
State of Illinois Marion County } I William H. Pace Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for said County do hereby certify that Josiah J. Ske whose signature appears to the above certificate is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace and that due faith and credit is due ought to be given to all his official acts as such and the above is a proper signature known under my official seal of office at Salem this 22 nd day of August 1836 Wm. H. Pace Clerk

Rev. War Section.
V.L.H. aw
November 5, 1920.
Amy B. Charlton, Salem, Illinois.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 26 th ultimo, you are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. File No. 30,007 that John Gaston the son of John Gaston and a resident of Fishing Creek, Chester District, South Carolina, served under Captains McClure and Steel and also as a Private in the Mounted Militia under General Sumter about five years, dates of enlistment and discharge not stated. He was engaged in the battles of Rocky Mount, Hanging Rock, Eutaw Springs and others, names not mentioned. Two of his brothers were killed at the battle of Hanging Rock and another, a Captain at Savannah, but their names are not given.
He married in the fall of 1768 Jannet Knox and died in January 1808. She was allowed pension on her application executed September 12, 1836, while residing with her widowed daughter in Jefferson County, Illinois, aged ninety-four years. Other children are referred to but no names are stated.

The above noted is the only John Gaston found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Very respectfully,
F. D. Byington
Acting Commissioner.

Nov 3 Put the letter with James Lybrand's for War Department Pension office Washington D. C. Andano P. Bury M. Oct 22

Marion County - Illinois Feb 19 th 1836
Sir
After considering on the declaration of the Widow Annut Gaston placed in the mail for your inspection, as the letter of the law is not complied with, I have thought this explanation no intrusion, Her affliction of Rheumatism the time of the Circuit Court made it impracticable for her to be taken to Court, and the business of two Counties per week occupies all the time of said Court. The Court of probate the only Court of record in the County that could visit her - legally, as County Court Commissioners are not authorized to take depositions, and justices of the peace not considered here a court of record - The Hon. Judge of the Court of probate is Clerk of both Circuit, and County Courts, and he did not consider that officially as Clerk of either he could certify to the official character of the Court of probate whose appointment is by the Governor &c. - The Hon. Zedek Casey said that the spirit of the law was to prevent fraud, and that in other cases respecting Claims of horses lost in the war, the Certificate of a member of Congress was receivable - This the Hon. Z. Casey's personally knowing The Hon. Joel Pate to be Judge of the Court of probate was the best Certificate that could be devised,
Therefore hoping that the evidence before you will be considered filling the spirit of the law, and no fraud in the case, I will look for a favourable return, If not be pleased to give instructions that is obtainable in our wilderness Country - Respectfully yours &c.
the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions } cl. Cunningham

Mr. Mason Lee Oct 18
Yrs
{ Mr James L. Edwards 333 Commissaire of Pensions }
Ans 1
100
4 July 1836 33 Hc.
War Department
Pension office
Washington City

State of Illinois Marion County September 22 d 1836 —
Sir.
Inclosed is the application of the widow Dunnet Gaston for a pension under the act passed July 4 th of the present year. I have attended personally to all the examinations of the applicant and witnesses, and in making out the declara- -tion and testimony, have omitted what might otherwise been requisite, where from want of mem- -ory they could not be positive, although the prolonging of her case might forever deprive her from the tribute of her Government. yet any thing necessary will be promptly attended to by your notice to the undersigned.
The most important is left with you respecting her husbands being a surgeon or surgeon's mate to General Sumpter. She knows nothing of rank and it is for you to say from the facts she has stated.
This heroine of the revolution Dunnet Gaston wid- -ow of John Gaston De c appears to have done every thing but fight in the revolutionary war, she is the same who memorialized Congress in 1834 where in her memorial that was laid before the Committee of Pensions by motion of the Hon. G. Casey, as noticed in the daily Globe "published by Blair and Rives Washington City, Wednesday December 17. th 1834"
She exhibited a number of her services, and I would respectfully suggest that if any widows of the revolution were entitled to much, she more. I believe it was her memorial that elicited the action of the Congress thereon, Be as it may, as I have no personal interest whatever in her getting any thing but a sense of gratitude we

owe to those who contributed any thing to the blessings of freedom we now enjoy. She lives with her widowed daughter whose circumstances does not allow her to do as much for her as she deserves. I have no blood relation to her whatever but at the request of the friends and neighbors, I have undertaken to do the little writing for her; we have no lawyers living near; and any awkwardness of a farmer will be overlooked when we consider the object for whom we discharge a duty.
Please forward your returns enclosed to the undersigned Salem. Marion County Illinois. I have the honor to be respectfully your obedient &c &c, M. Cunningham

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
October 25 th , 1841.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Adm re of Janet Gaston, acc d , a Pensioner on the Roll of the Cairo, Illinois Agency, at the rate of Twenty — Dollars and — Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th July 1836, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1838, to the 18 th August 1839.
Respectfully yours,
William H. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Salem Ill Dec 15 th Mrs. 4 July '36
Free
A. L. Edwards Esq. War department pension office Washington City.
James G. Wilson

Salem Marion County State of Illinois
Nov. 30 th 1836
Sir
Yours of the 4 th inst was rec d the 25 th I have written an Answer to see if facts could be collected, her mind is very scattering and she associates too much, to come at any thing more satisfactory than already set forth in her declaration, that could be properly arranged require a better acquaintance with the history of those times than I have in possession. She frequently challenging former statements. She will come to a positive but then that is associated with some time where something more prominent is retained.
I have forwarded a note to the Comptroller General of S th Carolina at Columbia. also learning lately that her Brother in law Joseph Gaston Esq r of Chester District S th Carolina is still alive in tolerable good mind, I have addressed a note to him for what particulars he can inform of, respecting particularly John Gaston's tour after the Indians as a pilot (or spy) and tours performed, to Georgia, Charleston, Camden, S th C. as suggested by her witness who does not recollect whether said John Gaston was in or not. The old lady associates these with Sumpter's prominent actions.
The difficulty I considered would be best removed

Of information could be had from the place of action.
She informs me as you suggested that the militia frequently returned home - But not from the time of Rocky mount Battle till after the Battle of Kings mountain - and then her husband was only a few days home until he went on to the Battle of Eutaw.
It appears that John Gaston frequently was employed as a Scout (or Spy) and as such was taken prisoner at or previous to the engagement at Beattys, a little while before the Battle of Rocky mount. And from this circumstance he was not as much at home as other militia men, but his places were not known to the lady herself - she says when he came home he would have a guard of a dozen or so with him, &
I have only given this, in hopes that a great deal can be yet established from S. Carolina.
Yet I would respectfully suggest that if the law would allow, the forwarding an order for what appears already established, without suspending her case for further anticipated proof, as her present necessities require some attention. She has not lived every thing but her country of which she is proud, and it would be as proud of rewarding so much worth.
The Hon. G. Casey member to Congress will be now in Washington who is personally acquainted with her. from whom if you please you will be

able to gain her Character and situation.
I have the honor to be re- -spectfully yours &c &c
W. Cunningham
J. L. Edwards Esq. Counsel of Pinesius
Recd

Salem Ill Sept 26 - 20
Sir.
Pension Records at Mt Carmel Ill show that one Jeannette Knapp Gaston rec'd about $20.00 back Pension on someone's Rev. service - Can you tell me if she was the widow of a Rev. soldier and what his name was? also copy of his record? Her daughter Esther married Samuel Gaston son of William Gaston a Rev. soldier. William Gaston (given as son of Robert Gaston and Robert a brother was son of Justice John Gaston who with his 9 sons saw Rev. service. I'm sure Robert Gaston served also. Do you have his record? Sons of Robert given as James, John, Hugh, Joseph & William Have that Jeannette Knapp Gaston's husband might prove to have been a son of Justice John Gaston, as in family tradition her daughter Esther is given a relative of the Samuel Gaston Esther married possibly a cousin. We have several members in our chapter on service of this William Gaston and we

are making an effort to trace family lines.
Yours truly
Amy B Charlton
Regidarian Isaac Hull Chapter Salem, Ill.
P.S. William Gaston seceded from South Carolina - His father Robert Gaston lived in Lancaster or Chester Co. Pa when William was born - The Gastons all went to S.S. I think & probably all served there during a hard time. Charlton ATBC
Yours truly Amy B Charlton

OLD WAR. WIDOW
File No. 30007
Janet Haston Widow of John Haston
Pri., S.C. Mil., Rev. War
Cert. No. 335

1920 Nov. 3 Hist. Soc. A. D. Munroe.
44877
INVALID.
Rev. wid. File 30007
File No. 44877
John Weston Rev. In the S. Carolina Militia
July 4. 1836.
Act: 7 th Jan 1832
Index:—Vol. 3, Page 189
[Arrangement of 1870.]